UPS will attempt delivery up to three times, at its discretion, on regular UPS delivery days. After a missed attempt, UPS may instead take the package to a nearby UPS Access Point location, where it’s held for 7 calendar days before going back to the sender as undeliverable.
Which of those happens depends on the package, the address and any instructions you’ve given UPS. This guide explains each step after a missed delivery and how to get the package before it’s returned.
How many times will UPS attempt delivery?
UPS makes up to three delivery attempts at your address, on regular UPS delivery days, at UPS’s discretion. Regular delivery days are Monday through Friday, plus Saturday or Sunday in select areas, and they exclude UPS holidays.
“Up to three” is a maximum, not a promise. For some packages, UPS skips further home attempts and routes the package to an Access Point after the first miss, which is common for residential packages that need a signature. Holidays push attempts back, so check the UPS holiday schedule if a delivery falls near one.
The typical days and hours drivers run are covered in the UPS delivery schedule, and transit time by service is in the guide to how long UPS takes to deliver.
What happens after each missed UPS delivery?
After a missed attempt, the driver usually leaves a UPS InfoNotice with the tracking number and what happens next, and the tracking page updates with the same information. From there, the package goes one of three ways.
| What tracking shows | What it means | What you should do |
|---|---|---|
| Another attempt scheduled | UPS will try again on the next delivery day | Be home, leave instructions or reschedule |
| Delivered to a UPS Access Point | The package is held for pickup for 7 calendar days | Pick it up with photo ID and the tracking number |
| Returning to sender | Final attempt failed or the hold period ended | Contact the sender to arrange a new shipment |
The guide to the UPS InfoNotice explains how to read the notice and use its number to track or redirect the package. You can also follow every attempt with your UPS tracking number.
What happens after the final UPS delivery attempt?
After the final attempt, UPS returns undeliverable packages to the sender. If the package went to an Access Point instead, it’s held there for 7 calendar days, and after that UPS returns it to the sender as undeliverable.
A returned package means the recipient has to ask the sender to ship it again, and the sender may pay for the return trip depending on the shipment terms. That’s why acting during the attempt window or the Access Point hold is almost always faster and cheaper than waiting.
How do you pick up a package from a UPS Access Point?
Check tracking first. When the status shows the package is awaiting customer pickup at an Access Point, bring a government-issued photo ID and your tracking number to that location.
- Confirm the Access Point address and hours on the tracking page or InfoNotice.
- Bring a government-issued photo ID that matches the recipient name.
- Have the tracking number ready, on paper or on your phone.
- Pick up within 7 calendar days, before the package is sent back.
Access Points are retail partners, so their hours follow the store rather than UPS. Some offer evening and weekend hours, which can make pickup easier than waiting for another home attempt.
Do signature requirements change delivery attempts?
Yes. A driver can’t leave a package that requires a signature unattended, so these packages are far more likely to miss the first attempt. Shippers add a signature requirement for valuable items, and an adult signature is required for regulated items such as alcohol.
If you know a signature package is coming and you won’t be home, redirect it to an Access Point or reschedule the delivery before the driver arrives. A package that doesn’t need a signature can often be released to the porch or another spot you choose, and the guide on whether UPS takes pictures of delivery covers the delivery photo you may get as proof.
How can you avoid missing a UPS delivery?
The most effective step is a free UPS My Choice membership. It sends delivery alerts and lets you change many deliveries before the driver arrives, so you don’t depend on the attempt schedule.
- Reschedule: move the delivery to a day you’ll be home.
- Redirect: send the package to a UPS Access Point or another address.
- Leave instructions: tell the driver where to leave a package that doesn’t need a signature.
- Hold for pickup: keep the package at a UPS location until you can collect it.
Some options aren’t available for every package, because the shipper can restrict changes. Shippers can also use UPS Delivery Intercept to change a package already in transit. If you need a person, the guide to the UPS customer service number lists the best way to reach UPS.
What can shippers do to cut failed deliveries?
Shippers can prevent many failed attempts before the label is printed. Use a complete address with apartment or suite numbers, add a phone number for the recipient, and only require a signature when the item’s value calls for it.
Sharing the tracking number with the recipient right away also helps, since it lets them sign up for alerts and redirect the package. Small businesses that ship regularly can create UPS labels on ParcelPath for free, at up to 85% off UPS retail rates, and compare live UPS and USPS options in the ParcelPath rate calculator. The guide on how to ship for less has more ways to cut shipping costs.
How do UPS delivery attempts compare with USPS?
USPS usually makes one delivery attempt for a package that can’t be left, then leaves a notice so you can schedule redelivery or pick the item up at the Post Office. UPS, by contrast, can try up to three times or use an Access Point.
The broader differences in delivery days, tracking and pickup are covered in the comparison of the key differences between UPS and USPS. To see how scans record each attempt, read whether UPS scans packages.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many times will UPS try to deliver a package?
UPS makes up to three delivery attempts, at its discretion, on regular UPS delivery days. Those are Monday through Friday, plus Saturday or Sunday in select areas, excluding UPS holidays. After a missed attempt, UPS may instead deliver the package to a nearby UPS Access Point location, where it’s held for you to pick up.
How long does UPS hold a package at an Access Point?
UPS holds a package at an Access Point location for 7 calendar days. If no one picks it up by then, UPS returns it to the sender as undeliverable. To pick it up, check that tracking shows it’s awaiting customer pickup, then bring a government-issued photo ID and the tracking number to the Access Point.
What happens if I miss all three UPS delivery attempts?
After the final attempt, UPS returns undeliverable packages to the sender. To avoid that, act after the first missed attempt: reschedule the delivery, redirect the package to an Access Point, or leave instructions through UPS My Choice. If the package is already headed back, contact the sender to arrange a new shipment.
Can I ask UPS to hold my package instead of trying again?
Often, yes. With a free UPS My Choice membership, you can redirect many packages to a UPS Access Point or hold them for pickup at a UPS location instead of waiting for the next attempt. Some shippers restrict delivery changes, so the options shown for your package can vary.
Still have questions? The UPS frequently asked questions guide covers more delivery topics, and the UPS tracking and delivery guide explains every tracking status. For more providers, see the roundup of shipping services and solutions.
Sources
- UPS: UPS Delivery Notice (InfoNotice)
- UPS My Choice
- UPS Delivery Intercept
- UPS: Signature Requirements
- UPS Holiday Shipping Schedule
Part of our UPS Delivery Schedule guide. Related: How Long Does It Take UPS to Deliver, How to Ship for Less.
